U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is conducting a “military operation” against Iran rather than engaging in a war, asserting that U.S. actions over the past five months have inflicted “tremendous destruction” on Iran’s military capabilities.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland, Trump claimed that Iran “no longer has a navy” and that its drone-launch capabilities have been eliminated. He added that Tehran had suffered “crushing blows” but still retains some military capabilities.
Trump said the United States “wants only victory” and is “doing a good job against Iran,” reiterating that Iran “cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.” He warned that such a development would “wipe out the Middle East,” adding that Washington would deliver “very powerful strikes” against Iran if necessary.
The U.S. president also accused Iran of acting “dishonestly and without integrity” during negotiations, while saying that this did not change what he described as Tehran’s “very bad situation.”
Earlier on Friday, Trump told Fox News that operations against Iran were “going very well,” adding that Washington would continue carrying out “powerful strikes” until Tehran is ultimately forced to back down.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the International Criminal Court (ICC) as “an illegitimate organization,” while saying the United States had achieved diplomatic successes in the Middle East.
Rubio said the agreement between Lebanon and Israel was “unprecedented,” and described Hamas’ agreement to disarm as “an achievement.” However, he acknowledged that “a great deal of work” remains to preserve and build on the understandings between Lebanon and Israel, expressing confidence that the objective is achievable.
In the same context, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States has shifted from what he called “Operation Epic Military Anger” to “Operation Economic Anger” aimed at curbing the Iranian regime’s influence.
Bessent said Washington is searching for Iranian assets around the world and that proceeds from confiscated assets would be directed to the Iranian people.
Source: Reuters
